Lessons From the Edge

Dancing is a state of mind.

Oh my goodness! We had so much fun Wednesday night! It was the Great Chili Cook-Off at Edgewood, and after we had our fill of several different kinds of chili - we sat back to enjoy the music of the Easy Idle String Band.

But not for long.

No sir! Because you just couldn't sit still listening to that music. I loved looking around and seeing all the toes tappin'. It was great fun.
I was standing next to L while the music played and she urged me to get a conga line started.
Now, I'm not used to conga lines mixing with banjos, but I couldn't refuse L - so we got one going.
And that's all it took.
The very next song was a group dance. The singer encouraged us to get a group out on the floor (We'd cleared the furniture away, "Just in case". *wink*) so Shelly and L and I recruited as many folk as we could. Then the singer and band led us through a circle dance, and we all had a blast. Hoopin' and hollerin' like we was down on the farm dancin'!
The thing is, a few of the folks had to abandon their walkers to come dance in our circle. And they were holding hands a little bit tighter than the rest of the gang. In fact, when it was time for my "corner" and I to swing each other around, I just put my hand on his shoulder and walked a circle around him. It was much safer that way! But there is no way anyone is going to be telling H that he wasn't out on the floor dancin'. Cuz you could see it in his eyes. He was dancing his heart out! And when the song was over, the nurse and I escorted H back to his chair so he could catch his breath.
H wasn't the only one cuttin' up a rug. B left his walker, L left hers, and so did S. Granted, none of them would have won a prize in a talent show, but that didn't matter one bit. Each one was dancing up a storm in their mind, and no prize could have matched the joy shining on their faces.

And that realization is what taught me this week's lesson: You can do what you love and experience joy in an activity even if you're lacking in ability. Get out there and have fun!

Dancing is a state of mind.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.